Tunisian Authorities Under Fire for Migrant Policy Amid EU Pressure
The ongoing crisis of irregular migration from Tunisia to Italy has intensified, with over 61,000 migrants reportedly prevented from crossing the Mediterranean this year, according to Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. This alarming statistic highlights the Tunisian regime's alignment with European Union policies aimed at curbing migration in exchange for financial and political support. Human rights activists, however, are raising concerns about the human cost of such a security-first approach.
Since June, the Tunisian authorities have ceased to publicly disclose data on their efforts to combat irregular migration. Activists like Ramadan Ben Omar from the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights criticize this lack of transparency, suggesting it conceals the true impact of Tunisia's security measures on vulnerable populations. They argue that the regime's actions reflect a troubling partnership with the EU, which has provided logistical and financial backing for these operations despite ongoing human rights violations.
Ben Omar points out that the EU's support has enabled Tunisia to adopt increasingly stringent measures against migrants, including systematic expulsions towards Algeria and Libya. This approach not only undermines the rights of migrants but also raises ethical questions about the EU's complicity in these practices. He argues that the EU's recent demands for investigations into alleged abuses against female migrants are hypocritical, given its financial support for the Tunisian authorities.
The shift in Tunisia's immigration policy is also viewed through the lens of rising right-wing sentiment in Europe. Khaled Al-Tababi, a sociology researcher, notes that the policies pushed by Italy's far-right government have found resonance within the Tunisian regime, particularly after a memorandum of understanding was signed in July 2023, which aimed to bolster Tunisia's economy while also addressing irregular migration. Critics claim this agreement aligns the EU with a regime that has been accused of undermining democracy and human rights in Tunisia.
Al-Tababi warns that the tightening of maritime controls will likely exacerbate the deterioration of Tunisia's democratic institutions and human rights landscape. A recent study by the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights revealed that a significant portion of migrants entering Tunisia come from various African nations, often traveling on foot from countries like Sudan and Ivory Coast. Many of these migrants are concentrated in the Sfax Governorate, where they seek passage to Europe. As the situation evolves, the implications for both migrants and Tunisia's political landscape remain critical and complex.
